CEDAR GUIDE
Which cedar species is
best for your project?
Compare cedar species and their applications
WESTERN RED CEDAR
The most popular species of wood used for shakes and shingles, a rich red-brown color throughout with a timeless appearance.
EASTERN WHITE CEDAR
Wonderful for sidewall installation, this species has a flat grain and a bright, clean appearance often seen in coastal homes.
ALASKAN YELLOW CEDAR
A dense wood known for its durability, it offers a clean and consistent appearance. It naturally ages to a beautiful silver.
Western Red Cedar shakes
Hand-split shakes lend a hearty, rustic appearance to both roofing and siding projects. Sometimes referred to as “re-sawn,” these shakes are sawn smooth on the back for easier installation.
Taper-sawn shakes offer a robust yet tailored appearance, straddling the line between shakes and shingles. Sawn both front and back with a distinctive circular pattern, these shakes are often the most durable option.
Western Red Cedar shingles
From roofs, to siding, to decorative gable ends, Western Red Cedar shingles are an extremely versatile product that instantly adds value to any building project.
Green shingles are freshly cut and sold in bundles. These can be installed and left to weather naturally, or stained to the color of your choice before or after installation. Western Red Cedar shingles have a thinner, more uniform appearance, excellent for sidewalls or roofs.
Western Red Cedar R&R shingles
Popular in both midcentury design and traditionally shingled buildings, rebutted and rejointed (sometimes called re-squared) shingles provide the highest quality appearance.
R&R starts with a premium green shingle, which is dried, its edges squared, and ends trimmed. The circle-sawn R&R shingle offers a high-end look while preserving the natural beauty of cedar.
Eastern White Cedar shingles
With fewer tannins than their Western Red Cedar counterparts, the magic of Eastern White Cedar shingles is their beautiful flat grain and ability to absorb stain for a truly elegant look.
This product is exceptional for sidewalls, gables and any other architectural accent, and is often chosen by architects and high-end home builders.
Alaskan Yellow Cedar shingles
These shingles weather to a perfect gray and are denser than their Western Red Cedar cousins. While they lack the inviting scent of Western Red Cedar, they are suitable for the toughest environments.